Nightshift age?

Hi, I'm thinking of working full time this summer after my exams to raise money. Thing is, I'm usually 'nocturnal' as such when I am out of college for a while, so I thought maybe working nightshift is a good idea. Plus the wage can be a lot higher on nightshift then day shift. However, a friend told me today that you have to be 18 to work night shift so I was wondering if anyone could confirm this, and is this for all jobs? Plus, if anyone has any experience of working nightshift, do you recommend it?

Thanks.

[Flubflow]

Depends on the job....
http://www.dti.gov.uk/er/work_time_r...3.htm#section3

[paulyoung666]

iirc , asda pay about £8 / hour for night shift shelf stackers , it is a start anyway

[Paul M]

/me starts on nights later tonight.

[bopdude]

Originally Posted by Diamond

Plus, if anyone has any experience of working nightshift, do you recommend it?

Thanks.

I work mainly at night ( well mostly ) as for recommending it, depends on yourself really, and what you do during the day that could be affected by it.
Myself, I don't mind it but I would rather start working days now, we'll se what comes up

[paulyoung666]

Originally Posted by bopdude

I work mainly at night ( well mostly ) as for recommending it, depends on yourself really, and what you do during the day that could be affected by it.
Myself, I don't mind it but I would rather start working days now, we'll se what comes up

nature of the beast though aint it , i have worked shifts and days , prefered shifts for the flexibility , but sometimes you just cant beat being in your own bed most nights

I know what you mean about 'turning nocturnal' - I think there are a few on here, me included, who are subsceptible to that

When I worked nights I found it helped to eat 'little & often', so as to maintain energy, but not to pig out, as that tends to make you sleepy. Don't drink too much tea or coffee (or Red Bull), as you just get 'wired' & keep waking up for a pee, when you get home.

Also, for me, it helped if I could get to bed & asleep as soon as possible after getting home around 6 - if I 'got off' before the sounds of people going to work/school etc, started, I could generally sleep through it. If I didn't do that, I often found I started to wake up again & then would find it difficult to do more than doze.

- each person tends to be individual in this, though (says he, who once overslept for a 2-10 )

[Steve H]

I don't work nightshifts as such, but with my p/t job at a bar, I don't start until 7-8pm, and don't finish till 2-3am... I hate it. I hate waiting to go to work,.. would much prefer just getting up and going (IE morning work), wrecks my days.

Looking for anohter part time job anyway, as like yourself I'l be wanting to work full time before uni to get some cash in the bank and can't envisage doing this for much longer. Just need a kick up the ass to go find another job :p

[greencreeper]

I seem to remember reading something about heart disease being higher in nightshift workers than the rest of the population. Something to do with the body being hard-wired for sleep on a night, so your bodily functions either slow or shutdown - increased body fat and poor absorption of nutrients. To my mind, the main problem with night work is feeling sleepy - could have a nasty accident, like falling in a sausage mincer

I also prefer nights - I work 10:00 am til 18:00 pm because getting up at 06:00 am for an 08:00 start is just hell

[allieyoung666]

I work a mix of nights and lates and I do enjoy nights more, as when the world is getting up I am going to the land of nod,bliss!!!!!! Plus nights in a hospitial is usually quiet, so you normally have from midnight till 6 am just catching up on any paperwork and having an hr. The only time I hate is around about 3am as I feel the tiredness comming over me and it always seem deadly quiet at that time!

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by paulyoung666

nature of the beast though aint it , i have worked shifts and days , prefered shifts for the flexibility , but sometimes you just cant beat being in your own bed most nights

I haven't worked nights, but a few times I have had jobs that have required me to either do long "shifts" (doing a stock check at blockbusters was great fun as it had to be done after hours start at 5pm finish at 3 the next morning), or start at wierd hours (we had a newsagent that opened at 4am). I have found that while it is nice to have the extra money, the chance to sleep in your own bed is as important..

[allieyoung666]

I enjoy nights more as the atmosphere is more relaxed and we have a chance to have a chat with the patients and tidy round. Plus there is no management round on a night!

Thanks for the replies everyone, very helpful

[greencreeper]

There is something about being outside at 6 am having not slept all night. The world feels different somehow That sense of sharpness.

[danielf]

Originally Posted by greencreeper

There is something about being outside at 6 am having not slept all night. The world feels different somehow That sense of sharpness.

I've been outside at 6 am without sleeping, but I don't recall a sense of sharpness. It was more like a stupour I think back fondly to my student day though